Mill Valley plans asbestos testing at proposed housing site
An environmental review of a planned affordable housing project in Mill Valley will explore the possible presence of asbestos in serpentine rock at or near the building site.
Planners, prompted by concerns raised at previous public meetings, discussed the question of asbestos during an environmental scoping meeting held on Jan. 12. The purpose of the forum was to air public comments on potential environmental impacts from the project. No vote was held at the meeting.
The proposed project site is at 1 Hamilton Drive, a city-owned parcel of about 1.7 acres near Hauke Park. The elevations range from 15 feet along Hamilton Drive to 80 feet along Roque Morales. The nearby hillside contains the serpentine rock.
The proposal for the affordable housing complex is being led by EAH Housing, a nonprofit based in San Rafael. The preliminary plan includes 40 to 50 rental apartments for people and families making $100,000 or less a year.
Rob Carnachan, a planner for the city’s environmental consultant, said if asbestos is found in the rock, the city will need to address mitigation. Asbestos exposure is associated with several forms of cancer.
“We are going to be studying the extent of that on the site,” he said.
Elizabeth O’Donnell of Mill Valley said during the meeting that she is concerned about asbestos near Hauke Park and the risk to children at the park.
“If this process goes forward, the asbestos-laden rock is going to be drilled, it’s going to be dug, it’s going to be driven on,” she said.
The project still requires a design review, a tentative parcel map, rezoning, a tree removal permit and a long-term lease to allow EAH to operate the site.
The environmental impact report is in its developmental phase. The environmental scoping period ends Jan. 27. The city will prepare a draft EIR that will be reviewed by the public. A final report will be reviewed by the Planning Commission for potential approval later this year.
“This is an opportunity to hear from the public,” said Danielle Staude, a city planner. “You will see that we are documenting comments and questions and listening for the most part. A lot of the analysis has not been done yet.”
Other potential impacts raised by Carnachan involve aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology, soils, hazards, hazardous materials, tribal cultural resources, land use, noise, population, public services, recreation, utilities and transportation.
The city has indicated it is pursuing a “T-shaped” building with a front courtyard. The existing features of the property, including 38 parking spaces, a restroom and an electric vehicle charging station, will likely be reconfigured on another nearby parking lot. The relocation will not impact bayland or Hauke Park, the city has said.
Design approval, financing and construction preparation are expected to last about two years. Construction is tentatively set to begin around the beginning of 2025. Leasing is set to start in mid-2026.
Under a state housing mandate, Mill Valley must show it can permit 865 new residences over the next eight years. The 1 Hamilton Drive development is included as a site in the city’s housing plan.